Voltage regulator with drive override

ABSTRACT

Techniques to enable voltage regulators to adjust for coming load changes are presented herein. In some embodiments, a functional block such as a microprocessor core having an associated clock signal is powered by at least one switching-type voltage regulator. When the functional block is about to require an increased level of power, the associated clock is provided to drive the at least one regulator switches overriding their normal drive signal, which has a lower frequency. Thus, the switches are driven at a higher frequency sufficiently prior to (e.g., just ahead of) the load change to reduce the amount of droop that would otherwise occur.

BACKGROUND

Integrated circuits such as microprocessors are becoming more complex,operating under tighter performance parameters and at the same timebeing asked to operate; more efficiently under tighter performanceparameters. They are typically powered by one or more voltage regulator(VR) circuits that provide a regulated supply voltage. Because amicroprocessor's load demand can vary dramatically and quickly, it canbe challenging to provide VR solutions that are capable of providingadequate supplies in such environments. Accordingly, improved VRsolutions may be desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example, and notby way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings inwhich like reference numerals refer to similar elements.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a multi-core microprocessor system with anassociated VR system in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 is cross-sectional view of a microprocessor integrated circuitpackage in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a voltage regulator circuit with aclock override cap ability in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a computer system having a multi-coremicroprocessor coupled to an integrated voltage regulator in accordancewith some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Techniques to enable voltage regulators to adjust for coming loadchanges are presented herein. In some embodiments, a functional blocksuch as a microprocessor core having an associated clock signal ispowered by at least one switching-type voltage regulator. When thefunctional block is about to require an increased level of power, theassociated clock is provided to drive the at least one regulatorswitches, overriding their normal drive signal, which has a lowerfrequency. Thus, the switches are driven at a higher frequencysufficiently prior to (e.g., just ahead of) the load change to reducethe amount of droop that would otherwise occur.

FIG. 1 generally shows a multi-core microprocessor with an integratedvoltage regulator (IVR) system having voltage regulators with clockoverride capabilities in accordance with some embodiments. Themicroprocessor comprises four domain cores (104A to 104D) coupled to acommon multi-core master controller 102 to perform different supervisorytasks such as work load allocation, environment management and the like.In some embodiments, the domain cores 104 and master controller 102 arepart of a common microprocessor die.

The depicted voltage regulator system comprises four domain VRsub-systems (domain VRs 114A to 114D), one for each domain core 104, anda master controller 112 coupled to each of the domain VRs. Each of thedomain VRs 114 is coupled to an associated domain core 104 to provide itwith a regulated supply voltage VCC and to receive from it a core clocksignal (CLK) and an override control signal (CTRL). For example, domainVRs 114A provides to domain core 104A a supply voltage VCC_(A) andreceives from it a clock signal CLK_(A) and override control signalCTRL_(A). (Note, in alternative embodiments, the override controlsignals could come from the Master Controller or from some other source,aware, either directly or indirectly, of an impending load change thatwould cause a droop on a voltage regulator domain.)

Each of the domain VRs 114 comprises one or more separate voltageregulators selectably coupled together so that different VR combinationscan be engaged to selectably provide different current levels dependingupon load demand. For example, one of the domain VRs might actuallycomprise eight separate VRs, each with a current capability of 3 Amps,coupled together in parallel to provide from 0 to 24 Amps depending onthe needs of its domain core load. The separate VRs may be coupledtogether or they may be distributed about the core to be coupled to asupply rail at different locations, e.g., spread evenly across a core.In some embodiments, the domain VRs 114 are part of a common integratedVR (IVR) die separate from the multi-core processor die containingdomain cores 104. However, it should be appreciated that the voltageregulators and domain cores or associated domain VRs and cores may be onthe same chip or on different combinations of chips.

With reference to FIG. 2, a cross-sectional view of a multi-coremicroprocessor integrated circuit (IC) package is shown. It comprises anintegrated voltage regulator (IVR) die 202 and a multi-coremicroprocessor die 204. The IVR die 202 is embedded within a packagesubstrate 201, while the microprocessor die is mounted to the substrate201 and against the IVR die 202 for efficient signal conductivity. (Notethat the dies may or may not actually contact one another. They may haveone or more other materials sandwiched between them throughout some orall of their abutting surface portions. Such materials could be used forstructural stability, heat transfer purposes, or the like.)

The IVR die 202 may comprise one or more domain VRs, while themicroprocessor die 204 may comprise one or more domain cores, asdescribed above. With this package configuration, with the dies mountednext to one another, circuit elements for VR domains can be disposedmore proximal to their associated domain core elements. This can allowfor sufficient conductive paths (e.g., via solder bumps or othercontacts) to conduct relatively large amounts of current to the domaincores. (It should be appreciated that any suitable package configurationusing one or more dies to implement the domain cores and VRs may beimplemented and are within the scope of the present invention. Forexample, the IVR die could be “atop” the microprocessor die instead of“below” it. Alternatively it could be next to it, partially against it,or they could be part of the same die.)

With reference to FIG. 3, an exemplary voltage regulator circuit 300with a clock override capability is depicted. Voltage regulator 300 is amulti-phase (N-phase) switching regulator with N switch (S₁ to S_(N))sections and N output sections comprising inductors L₁ to L_(N), coupledtogether at a common output (VCC) at decoupling capacitor C. Theswitches (S₁ to S_(N)) are shown generally for simplicity and maycomprise any suitable circuit elements such as driver devices and push,pull, or push-pull configured transistors, as are well known in the art.Likewise, inductors L1 to LN may comprise any suitable combination ofinductors and/or transformers, coupled, at least to some degree,together for improved efficiency. For example, in some embodiments, theymay be implemented with inductors coupled together with magneticmaterial fabricated within the IVR die housing VR 300.

Voltage regulator 300 also comprises VR controller 302, core clockdriver 304, synchronizer circuits 306 ₁ to 306 _(N), and 2:1multiplexers 308 ₁ to 308 _(N), coupled together as indicated. The VRcontroller 302 receives a clock signal (VR CLK) and produces from it Ndrive signals (<1 to <N) appropriately phase-shifted from one another todrive switches S₁ to S_(N) to generate the regulated output voltage VCC.The VR clock signal may be a conventional clock signal with a suitablefrequency (e.g., in the range of from 10 MHz. to 250 MHz.) for theefficient generation of VCC. The drive signals will typically have thesame frequency as that of VR CLK but this is not required, e.g., theymay be derived from a divided or multiplied version of VR CLK. As isknown in the art, VR controller 302 controls the duty cycles of thedrive signals to increase or lower the amount of current provided to theload in order to regulate VCC.

The separate drive signals are each provided to an associatedsynchronizer circuit 306 _(i), which also receives a core clock (CoreCLK) signal from an associated core (e.g., the core being powered by thevoltage regulator 300). The frequency of the Core CLK signal willtypically be greater than the frequency (or frequencies) of the drivesignals, e.g., from 4 to 20 times greater. Each synchronizer circuit 306_(i) synchronizes the edges of its incoming drive and core clock signaland provides as outputs first and second in-phase drive signals (D_(C)and D_(V)) but with the frequency of Di_(C) being greater than Di_(V).The synchronizer circuits 306 may be formed from any suitablecombination of circuit elements including but not limited to phaselocked loops, delay locked loops, logic gates and the like. The drivesignals (Di_(C), Di_(V)) from each synchronizer circuit are fed into aan associated 2:1 multiplexer 308i, whose output is then provided to anassociated one of the switches S_(i). A control signal (CTRL), e.g.,from the associated core is also provided to each multiplexer 308serving as the control to select either the D_(V) drive signal or fasterD_(C) drive signal. (Note that in some embodiments, the core clocksignal may not necessarily be provided to its synchronizer at all times.For example, it could be gated and disabled under appropriate conditionsto save power. In this case, the synchronizer should then haveappropriate circuitry to pass the drive signal through to its associatedmultiplexer, or equivalent, even if the core clock is not beingapplied.)

In operation, the slower D_(V) drive signals (multi-phases) are normallyselected for steady-state operation and operate in accordance with knowntechniques and methodologies. Thus, the core control signal normallycontrols the multiplexers to select the D_(V) drive signals. On theother hand, when the core is about to demand additional power (e.g.,because a logic section is about to be engaged), the core control signalcauses the multiplexers to select the core drive signals (D_(C)) insteadof the slower VR drive signals (D_(V)). In some embodiments, the fastercore clock drive are activated for an amount of time that issufficiently long to thwart an unreasonable droop in VCC butsufficiently short to avoid instability. In some embodiments, the coreclock drive signals are activated only for load changes that aresufficient to cause an unreasonable droop. That is, it is not engagedfor minor load changes. In addition, the control signal may come from asource other than from a core processor. For example, it could come froma controller, aware that the load on the voltage regulator is about toincrease.

With reference to FIG. 4, one example of a computer system is shown. Thedepicted system generally comprises a multi-core processor 402 that iscoupled to a integrated voltage regulator 404, and memory 406. In someembodiments, the processor 402 and IVR 404 may be configured asdiscussed above. The computer system could be implemented in differentforms. That is, it could be implemented in a single chip module, acircuit board, or a chassis having multiple circuit boards. Similarly,it could constitute one or more complete computers or alternatively, itcould constitute a component useful within a computing system.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described, but can bepracticed with modification and alteration within the spirit and scopeof the appended claims. For example, it should be appreciated that thepresent invention is applicable for use with all types of semiconductorintegrated circuit (“IC”) chips. Examples of these IC chips include butare not limited to processors, controllers, chip set components,programmable logic arrays (PLA), memory chips, network chips, and thelike.

Moreover, it should be appreciated that examplesizes/models/values/ranges may have been given, although the presentinvention is not limited to the same. As manufacturing techniques (e.g.,photolithography) mature over time, it is expected that devices ofsmaller size could be manufactured. In addition, well known power/groundconnections to IC chips and other components may or may not be shownwithin the FIGS. for simplicity of illustration and discussion, and soas not to obscure the invention. Further, arrangements may be shown inblock diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the invention, and alsoin view of the fact that specifics with respect to implementation ofsuch block diagram arrangements are highly dependent upon the platformwithin which the present invention is to be implemented, i.e., suchspecifics should be well within purview of one skilled in the art. Wherespecific details (e.g., circuits) are set forth in order to describeexample embodiments of the invention, it should be apparent to oneskilled in the art that the invention can be practiced without, or withvariation of, these specific details. The description is thus to beregarded as illustrative instead of limiting.

1. An apparatus, comprising: a switching voltage regulator to beswitched with a drive signal derived from a VR clock, the voltageregulator to provide a supply to a functional circuit having anassociated functional clock having a higher frequency than that of theVR clock, the drive signal to be derived from the functional clocksignal in response to a control signal from the functional circuit. 2.The apparatus of claim 1, in which the functional circuit is amicroprocessor core.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, in which themicroprocessor core issues the control signal when the core load on thesupply is a bout to increase.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, in which thecore issues the control signal when the core load on the supply is toincrease above a threshold.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising a synchronization circuit to synchronize the functional clockwith the VR clock.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, in which thesynchronization circuit provides a first drive signal derived from theVR clock signal and a second drive signal derived from the functionalclock signal, the first and second drive signals being in edgesynchronization with one another with the second drive signal having ahigher frequency than the first drive signal.
 7. The apparatus of claim1, in which the voltage regulator is a multi-phase switching typevoltage regulator, the drive signal comprising multiple drive signalsout of phase with one another.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, in which theVR and functional circuits are part of a common integrated circuitpackage.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, in which the functional circuitand at least part of the voltage regulator are on separate dies.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 1, in which the drive signal is to be derived fromthe functional clock signal for a sufficiently small amount of time soas to maintain stability.
 11. An apparatus, comprising: a switchingvoltage regulator having at least one switch to generate an outputvoltage to be provided to a functional circuit, the at least one switchto be driven by a higher frequency drive signal to inhibit droop in theoutput voltage when the functional circuit is about to require increasedcurrent
 12. The apparatus of claim 11., in which the functional circuitis a microprocessor core.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, in which themicroprocessor core issues a control signal to the voltage regulator toengage the higher frequency drive signal when the core load on thesupply will increase.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, in which the coreissues the control signal when the core is to require the increasedcurrent.
 15. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising asynchronization circuit to synchronize the higher frequency drive signalwith a lower frequency signal normally used to drive the at least oneswitch.
 16. The apparatus of claim 11, in which the VR and functionalcircuit are part of a common integrated circuit package.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 16, in which the functional circuit and at least partof the voltage regulator are on separate dies.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 11, in which the higher frequency drive signal is to be active atany given time for a sufficiently small amount of time to maintainstability.
 19. A system, comprising: a voltage regulator domain havingvoltage regulators coupled to a common supply output to provide aregulated voltage; and a processor core coupled to the domain to receivethe regulated voltage, the voltage regulator domain to be controlled tobe driven from a signal having a frequency higher than that of a normaldrive signal to inhibit unreasonable droops in the regulated voltage;and a memory device coupled to the processor core to provide it withexternal system memory.
 20. The system of claim 19, further comprising apower supply coupled to the voltage regulator domain to provide it withpower.
 21. The system of claim 19, comprising a controller to controlthe voltage regulator domain to be driven by the higher frequency signalinstead of the normal signal when its load is to sufficiently increase.